Verizon DSL v. FIOS v. Comcast

[Binky]

You need your own cables.  Monoprice.com.
90% sure.  I bought a few because I have a stupidly complex setup, but I don't think Verizon supplied even one.

P.S.  That's why they call him Fast Eddie; he beat me to it while I was typing.  I concur.

[fasteddie]

Got Fios back in January, no HDMI cable was supplied at that time.

[Soshin]

So I am getting FIOS installed next Monday.  Can anybody tell me if the HD boxes come with their own HDMI cables or will I have to go out and buy those myself?  I am assuming they come with them until somebody tells me otherwise......

[MCA™]

this happened in Downtown Jersey City today by antiparticle, on Flickr

[nugnfutz]

That's actually out of the ballpack. Fios is definitely a contender.

hopefully this helps you

send me an email to work out a package - markmorin@verizon.net






And a speed test - I'm running hard lined on my 25/25Mbps subscription.

[FiOSGuy]

Good questions -

So take these bundles - Taxes and fees run between $7-$12.  We've started to use digital voice service which considerably lowers FCC line charges and taxes compared to our original FiOS bundles and current copper customers.


$89.99 for 2 years for Phone, 15/5Mbps internet, and Extreme HD TV.

$74.99 for 6 months, $84.99 for months 7-24 for 15/5Mbps internet, and Extreme HD TV.

Free installation, Free activation.

------

Here are the extras and the rates:

Multi Room DVR - $20
DVR   - $16
HD Set Top Box - $6
Digital adaptor / cable card - $4
--------

Premium Channels - here are the alacarte rates but there are some bundle configurations that make adding certain premiums less.

Movies Package - $16 - Includes, Showtime, Starz, Encore, TMC, Flix, Sundace, and IFC - 72 total channels
HBO - $17 - 14 HBO channels, all in HD plus IFC.
Cinemax - $12
Epix - $10

---------
2nd line - $10
international calling - $10 - 300 mins / $15 - 500 mins


There are some promo options and things like that - so PLEASE email me / call with questions.

Mark Morin - 201-792-3467
MarkMorin@verizon.net

[brewster]

Fiosguy, some questions:

What is the final monthly including all the taxes and fees?
Is there an equipment rental not included?
Does that equipment have an analog component output?
What would be the additional charge for another phone line?

[FiOSGuy]

hopefully this helps you

send me an email to work out a package - markmorin@verizon.net






And a speed test - I'm running hard lined on my 25/25Mbps subscription.

[nugnfutz]

I'm definitely interested in FIOS. My number one priority is having a low-latency and high-availability internet connection. Bandwidth for me is less important. I use Verizon's service for mobile broadband, which I've found excellent for my needs when travelling - you can actually get a $15/day deal from Verizon on their wireless modems, which in my view is an awesome deal if you travel occasionally and don't trust hotel/motel connectivity.

I'd be very interested in getting some feedback on local FIOS stats. I'd like to ask folks with FIOS in JC for a little feedback. Can you go to the website http://www.d3tr.de/download.html and download the 3d Traceroute FREE software. I've used this for years to troubleshoot my internet connections, and is still one of the best internet tracing software programs out there. There's no adware, trojans or any other malware with the download as far as I can tell - but feel free to run any tests on the software.

What I'm interested in, is the stats collected over a period of time. Specificially the number of timeouts on a single ping to a given website, and the min/max and average ping latencies.

For results:
Run the d3trbeta software from your desktop:
1. Click on "Tools" tab, "Single Ping Window", enter www.google.com in the "Target" box, then click on the "DO it!" button. Note the number of pings and number of timeouts at the bottom of the window at the end of the test period.
2. Click on the "as List" button, enter www.google.com in the "Target" box, then click on the ">Trace" button, At the end of the test, note the min/max/ava stats against the last line of the trace list (against www.google.com), at the end of the test period.

If you can run the program over a 3-hour period, say 5-8pm est and post the results here, I'd be very grateful. The s/w is pretty low footprint - you can do other stuff at the same time on the PC without any impact.

For example, if you can post results in the form:

Time range: May 14th, 5-8pm
Number of pings: 3240
Number of timeouts: 3
Min: 11 ms
Max: 25 ms
Ava: 13 ms

A lot to ask and pretty technical, but it would really help me with a decision to swap.

Thanks in advance

[CeeDub]

my nepherw "Jason" in his latest
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/3a3UO8kAutM&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/3a3UO8kAutM&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999</a>
he is a bit of a

brat

[jcpeace]

so
do i get this rate when my current 1 yr contract expires  in september?

[bdlaw]

Wow, awesome!

Will it make me a sandwich and change the channels for me, too?

[FiOSGuy]

New Promo:

If you live in a qualified apartment building....

NO CONTRACT!! and $250 Gift card for signing up!

$89.99 for 2 years for Phone, 15/5Mbps internet, and Extreme HD TV.

$74.99 for 6 months, $84.99 for months 7-24 for 15/5Mbps internet, and Extreme HD TV.

Free installation, Free activation.


Call / email me for info

Mark Morin - 201-792-3467
MarkMorin@verizon.net

[Mr_Grieves]

Not to digress, but...

I'm moving and I have to give up satellite, bumma.  I have comcast for internet now and that's the extent of my dealing with comcast, until now, bumma. They're expensive!  I want HBO and a DVR plus internet.  That's it.  After a torturous hour conversation with the comcast rep, it seems the best deal is for $134/mo - that includes a DVR, HBO, no frills channels (my term) and fast internet connection - 12mb or kb or whatevuh.  I have 6 now.  Plus phone, which I couldn't care less about.  The same package with a slower internet connection and no phone is $101/mo. but that's only good for 6 mos.  The former is for 12 mos.  They say it's not a contract, just a price guarantee.  Is this really what I gotta pay for my semi-humble wants?  Like, can I get HBO on the internet and buy my own DVR? The DVR from comcast is $16/mo extra, but I imagine you gotta pay a monthly fee for TIVO.  [I'm so stupid when it comes to this stuff.]  FIOS is not available in my new location, east of the ghetto.

[FiOSGuy]

With regard to the picture, I do have some complaints.  With Comcast, I spent time with their old box and then upgraded to the newer DCH3416.  The difference is that my HD channels came through much better at the cost of the regular channels being rendered more poorly.  That was fine with me since I shortly narrowed down my channel surfing to HD only except for the occasional Southpark on the Comedy channel.

Now that I'm with FiOS, I have many more HD channels, but I've been downgraded back down to a QIP 72-161.  So here I am again with decent regular channels and less sharp HD channels. 

Duke,
   The Motorola DCH3416 was actually released prior to the QIP7216.  It may be a nicer looking housing, but the processor inside the QIP7216 is superior.

If you feel your HD picture is not as clear as with was with Cable... there is definitely an issue with the settings on the set top box or with the installation.  It is impossible that you would see a lower quality HD picture.

First.  - Are you using HDMI or composite video? - make sure you are using the right input on your TV.

Second - make sure your box is set to broadcast in 1080i - they default to 720p, your tech may not have ever changed this.


If these two things don't work, send me an email markmorin@verizon.net with your home phone number and I'll forward it to the local install manager so we can have a tech stop by.

Thanks,
   Mark

[TheFang]

So...now I'm thinking of getting the new Tivo Premiere.  Has anybody had any experience with a Tivo on FiOS?  I would guess the rendering is sharper.  I know I would lose Verizon's Video-on-demand, but I don't think I would miss much...

We have Directv and the main reason for that, even when we got the house wired up with FiOS, was to be able to keep our Tivo box. I absolutely adore it, I have no complaints about Tivo, the box still works wonderfully, and we've had it for 5 years now. If you have a chance to get a Tivo, I say go for it, based on other DVRs that I've used even if the picture quality isn't as good, the UI is so much better on the Tivo it'll be worth it.

[Pinky]

Okay, so since I got some feedback here I persisted and got FiOS installed.  Thank you AB and fasteddie, I took the option to have the power run in through another entry point.  They used the old cable lines so I didn't have to have any holes drilled.  That's okay since I spent a lot of time rerunning the cable myself around the house so it wasn't the most prominent feature.

Now, I've tripled my Internet speed and have 30 up and 30 down now.  I don't notice the speed so much as I notice that I'm not getting redirected to Comcast's error pages.  My Vonage still gets complaints from my family saying that I sound garbled rather than Comcast's complaint of cutting in and out.  Oh well, back to tweaking the router settings.

With regard to the picture, I do have some complaints.  With Comcast, I spent time with their old box and then upgraded to the newer DCH3416.  The difference is that my HD channels came through much better at the cost of the regular channels being rendered more poorly.  That was fine with me since I shortly narrowed down my channel surfing to HD only except for the occasional Southpark on the Comedy channel.

Now that I'm with FiOS, I have many more HD channels, but I've been downgraded back down to a QIP 72-161.  So here I am again with decent regular channels and less sharp HD channels. 

So...now I'm thinking of getting the new Tivo Premiere.  Has anybody had any experience with a Tivo on FiOS?  I would guess the rendering is sharper.  I know I would lose Verizon's Video-on-demand, but I don't think I would miss much...

Any feedback is welcome.

duke

I have no clue what all this is....I let the slumlord worry about this tech stuff.
This link may answer your question: http://forums.verizon.com/t5/FiOS-TV-Technical-Assistance/will-TiVO-s-new-hybrid-Premiere-boxes-work-with-a-FiOS-CableCard/m-p/166903

[duke_of_earl]

Okay, so since I got some feedback here I persisted and got FiOS installed.  Thank you AB and fasteddie, I took the option to have the power run in through another entry point.  They used the old cable lines so I didn't have to have any holes drilled.  That's okay since I spent a lot of time rerunning the cable myself around the house so it wasn't the most prominent feature.

Now, I've tripled my Internet speed and have 30 up and 30 down now.  I don't notice the speed so much as I notice that I'm not getting redirected to Comcast's error pages.  My Vonage still gets complaints from my family saying that I sound garbled rather than Comcast's complaint of cutting in and out.  Oh well, back to tweaking the router settings.

With regard to the picture, I do have some complaints.  With Comcast, I spent time with their old box and then upgraded to the newer DCH3416.  The difference is that my HD channels came through much better at the cost of the regular channels being rendered more poorly.  That was fine with me since I shortly narrowed down my channel surfing to HD only except for the occasional Southpark on the Comedy channel.

Now that I'm with FiOS, I have many more HD channels, but I've been downgraded back down to a QIP 72-161.  So here I am again with decent regular channels and less sharp HD channels. 

So...now I'm thinking of getting the new Tivo Premiere.  Has anybody had any experience with a Tivo on FiOS?  I would guess the rendering is sharper.  I know I would lose Verizon's Video-on-demand, but I don't think I would miss much...

Any feedback is welcome.

duke

[Pinky]

Just want to weigh in here for a second.  I haven't done business with or know Mark, but I do have FIOS.  I just ordered it through the website a year or so ago.

Service has been perfect. no system outages... ever.  Did have a problem with my STB and tech support actually spoke to me like an adult who could handle it.  Fixed in 10 minutes without trying to talk me into a tech coming out.  Picture is great.  My only gripe was not having MSNBC in HD, which was resolved just this week.  That was a contractual problem and not Verizon's problem.  BBC America is the only holdup, and I think that's a BBC issue.

I can't recommend the service enough after dealing with Comcast (don't get me started), Time Warner, and various DSL providers through the years.

The reason I'm writing is to praise Mark and what Verizon has done in having independent guys out there selling the stuff.  I had a few technical questions for him AtS and he answered them in public and knew when to say "I don't know" and provided the info to where I could find out.  I'd love to have a rep I could call and deal with any billing issues or get me an inside line to the right person.   If a mixup and complaint is the surest way to win over a customer when it's handled right, I think this pretty much makes the case.

Now Verizon Wireless billing, that's a whole different story.

So far my FIOS experience has been very good. I will be honest by saying if it wasn't for having my billing problem resolved by Mark, I may have pulled out. I suffered from some severe DSL war wounds for years back and swore off Verizon for ever and went with FIOS last month in fear. I must admit the FIOS has been great, no outages, no calling Comcast to reset my system by sending a signal, super fast internet speed, my phone has no static issues and the installation was super easy. The biggest selling feature was/is the field rep who fixed the issues with the billing. Looks like it is all smooth sailing from now on.

[editrix]

2 cents: switched to FiOS months ago, very happy with quality, Internet worlds better than Comcast. Plus don't miss Comcast's dicey billing department *at all*

[pishtaco]

Just want to weigh in here for a second.  I haven't done business with or know Mark, but I do have FIOS.  I just ordered it through the website a year or so ago.

Service has been perfect. no system outages... ever.  Did have a problem with my STB and tech support actually spoke to me like an adult who could handle it.  Fixed in 10 minutes without trying to talk me into a tech coming out.  Picture is great.  My only gripe was not having MSNBC in HD, which was resolved just this week.  That was a contractual problem and not Verizon's problem.  BBC America is the only holdup, and I think that's a BBC issue.

I can't recommend the service enough after dealing with Comcast (don't get me started), Time Warner, and various DSL providers through the years.

The reason I'm writing is to praise Mark and what Verizon has done in having independent guys out there selling the stuff.  I had a few technical questions for him AtS and he answered them in public and knew when to say "I don't know" and provided the info to where I could find out.  I'd love to have a rep I could call and deal with any billing issues or get me an inside line to the right person.   If a mixup and complaint is the surest way to win over a customer when it's handled right, I think this pretty much makes the case.

Now Verizon Wireless billing, that's a whole different story.

[FiOSGuy]

Thank you, Pinky.

[Pinky]

Caveat Emptor!!!..I received my first bill today and it was NOT the package price that I was offered.
After wasting my time on the phone with Verizon, I put a call out to the person who sold me my package.....Mark Morin.
I am beyond fuming!

Well...just got off the phone with Mark Morin who called me back super quickly. Seems like the billing dept. is just doing their own thing. I am scanning my bill and sending it to Mark...He said this is going to get fixed. I will def. post if it does not.

So what ever happened with this situation? Was it fixed or we need to get Fulop involved?

   You know those commercials where the last 30 seconds is someone talking real fast and you totally get the commercial and can't quite understand the rest? Well I'm stuck in that for the moment.

Will def keep you posted.

on the Fulop comment. I answered the ad that was on a downtown website so I may have to get Thebes to intervene on this one.

Okay, looks like it's been fixed. I am crossing my fingers that the next bill will be normal. If not ...I'll be back. 

And, kudos to Mark Morin for getting this resolved.

[Pinky]

Caveat Emptor!!!..I received my first bill today and it was NOT the package price that I was offered.
After wasting my time on the phone with Verizon, I put a call out to the person who sold me my package.....Mark Morin.
I am beyond fuming!

Well...just got off the phone with Mark Morin who called me back super quickly. Seems like the billing dept. is just doing their own thing. I am scanning my bill and sending it to Mark...He said this is going to get fixed. I will def. post if it does not.

So what ever happened with this situation? Was it fixed or we need to get Fulop involved?

   You know those commercials where the last 30 seconds is someone talking real fast and you totally get the commercial and can't quite understand the rest? Well I'm stuck in that for the moment.

Will def keep you posted.

on the Fulop comment. I answered the ad that was on a downtown website so I may have to get Thebes to intervene on this one.

[fasteddie]

Caveat Emptor!!!..I received my first bill today and it was NOT the package price that I was offered.
After wasting my time on the phone with Verizon, I put a call out to the person who sold me my package.....Mark Morin.
I am beyond fuming!

Well...just got off the phone with Mark Morin who called me back super quickly. Seems like the billing dept. is just doing their own thing. I am scanning my bill and sending it to Mark...He said this is going to get fixed. I will def. post if it does not.

So what ever happened with this situation? Was it fixed or we need to get Fulop involved?